Exercise is another word for being good to yourself

Thursday, August 22, 2013

It's been a long time since I've blogged on SparkPeople, but trust me, it hasn't been a long time since I've Sparked. Some days I feel like keeping my weight off is a second job. Watching every bite that I put in my mouth, tracking my food on SP, going down to the Y after work each night and on Saturdays to get in the exercise.,,,

BUT - sometimes I think that the payoff is worth more than the money I earn at my real job.

Being thin doesn't guarantee that you'll never have health concerns as evidenced by my history over the last four years. I was plagued with sinus and upper respiratory infections. Severe allergic reactions to antibiotics. Perpetual GI distress. Severe fatigue. Hip and leg pain that just never let up.

YET - I kept watching every bite that I put in my mouth, tracking my food on SP, going down to the Y after work each night and on Saturdays to get in the exercise...

I saw the ENT and had sinus surgery. CHECK
I saw the GI doctor and found out that I have celiac disease and am now healed on a gluten free diet. CHECK
I saw the physical medicine doctor and found that I have bulging disks in my back and had an epidural injection and hours of physical therapy. CHECK

AND - I kept watching every bite that I put in my mouth, tracking my food on SP, going down to the Y after work each night and on Saturdays to get in the exercise...

Doctor after doctor told me that those were the smartest things that I could do for myself. Recovery time was cut in half. I wasn't at risk for all the complications that accompany obesity like hypertension and diabetes that make you a poor anesthesia risk. They praised me for being thin like I'd been that way all my life.

SO - I had to tell them about my weight loss story and the wonderful power of sparking with others who are struggling down the same path....

One asked me to sum up in one sentence why I lost weight, what made me stay the course and get to goal.

I REPLIED - Because I love myself...

Next time you climb on the bike, treadmill, elliptical, or cut that baked potato in half and wrap up the rest, tell yourself:

THAT'S -- why I watch every bite that I put in my mouth, track my food on SP, exercise every day...

Absolutely the reason to keep up the habits... because you're worth loving! And you're stepping up to the plate and loving yourself every time you exercise your choice to eat right, get your sleep or follow medical advice. Well stated and well lived!

That is fantastic you persevered over such serious health issues and came out on top! One of the first things I learned on Spark People is if you don't love yourself you will never lose the weight because you won't feel the effort is worth it, Way to hammer home the message! Keep on being your amazing self!

The other day I was feeling extremely stressed by on overly busy schedule and decided to ride my bike to one of my stops. All I had to do was sit on the bike and I felt my whole body go AHHHHHHHHHHH. (Imagine how awesome it was once I actually started riding!!)

Thanks for posting this and getting us all caught up on the good things that are happening in your life!!

Ah, Joanne -- so good to hear you are doing so well! I love this post!! Thanks for the reminder that a healthy lifestyle can minimize the problems that are NOT related to unhealthy choices. Many things are out of our control ... but that doesn't mean EVERYTHING is out of our control! Keep up the good work -- and keep challenging us to ACT like we love and appreciate our bodies!

Good for you!!!! I was very inspired by what you wrote. I am a fitness instructor at Anytime Fitness and I am constantly trying to motivate members to do exactly what you wrote about! I am very proud of you!!!!